COMMUNITY NEWS FOCUS

HUNTINGTON BEACH : District, Union OK Teachers' Contract

After months of negotiations, a new contract calling for a 2% pay raise for teachers and other employees in the Huntington Beach Union High School District has been tentatively agreed upon, officials announced.

Officials for both the school district and the teachers' union Monday praised the contract.

"I think our teachers are going to be happy with the package," said Jim Harlan, executive director of the District Educators Assn., the union which represents about 600 high school teachers in the district.

Assistant Supt. Patricia Koch said management is equally pleased. "I think everyone is happy with this contract," she said.

The proposed contract is before employee unions for their ratification and is expected to be approved by the school board at its Oct. 10 meeting, Koch said.

Harlan said the teachers are scheduled to vote on the contract Oct. 5 and 6. He said the union's policy-making advisory council has recommended that teachers approve the pact.

The three-year contract calls for the school district to give all employees a 2% pay raise in the current school year. In the next two school years, employees would receive a cost-of-living adjustment.

The contract also would shift the school district from a self-insured health plan to one operated by a commercial carrier.

Another item in the contract calls for an early retirement program for some of the senior teachers in the district.